Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A few years ago an American missionary in Kalingalinga discovered a group of boys singing acapella. Now young men, they tour America's churches full time. Keith Lancaster's Acappella Company has taken the adventurous step of expanding its activities from its usual white barber shop harmony fare to record this thrilling 10-man team. I suppose to non-African ears the nearest thing to Zambian Acapella's sound would be Ladysmith Black Mambazo though this sound is less dependent on those booming bass voice rhythms. Most of the material is Zambian traditional and pretty wonderful too and when they do launch into a well known song like "Joshua Fit Da Battle" they come up with a revisionist melody. Thrilling African harmonies well recorded to bring out all their polyrhythmic subtlety.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.